Med. Weter. 82 (12), 608-614, 2026
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| MICHAŁ CZELEJ, KATARZYNA MICHALAK, ŁUKASZ ADASZEK, JACEK WAWRZYKOWSKI |
| Comparative repellent activity of plant-derived preparations against four insect species representing distinct ecological groups |
| This study evaluated 48 preparations, including essential oils, alcoholic macerates, hydrolates and formulated mixtures, against Drosophila melanogaster, Plodia interpunctella, Calliphora vomitoria and Culex pipiens using a two-choice laboratory assay. Repellency was quantified using a repellency index after 60 min of exposure, with five independent replicates per preparation and species. Significant differences among preparations were detected for all four species. The highest observed mean RI was recorded for X5 against D. melanogaster, Y1 against P. interpunctella, X5 and X6 against C. vomitoria, and O1 against C. pipiens. Cross-species assessment identified several preparations with relatively high and comparatively consistent RI values across multiple species; X6a had the highest descriptive mean RI across the four species (66.50%). The results demonstrate pronounced species-dependent variation in behavioral avoidance. The study provides preliminary laboratory evidence for further investigation, including potential veterinary applications against arthropod vectors, but does not establish protection against biting, pathogen transmission, infestation or field efficacy.. |
| Key words: Plant-derived preparations; repellency; essential oils; Culex pipiens |